Course summary
Do you have a passion for translation? Are you looking for a career in translation or interpreting? This course offers you the opportunity to study one or two languages to degree level and gain practical experience in translation and interpreting. Study one language from post A level and opt to add another either as post A level or beginner. This course has a strong vocational focus and provides insights into practical and technical translation and interpreting. We model our translation assignments on real-life situations and you will complete at least one translation project for an external organisation. The exciting opportunity of the year abroad develops your communication skills, builds your confidence and helps you stand out to future employers. You can teach English in a school or study at one of our partner universities. However, we encourage you to work for a translation company to further develop your practical translation skills. We offer the following language options:
- Study one language post-A level: French, German, Spanish or Russian
- Study two languages post-A level: French, German, Mandarin, Spanish or Russian
- Post-A level language: French, German, Spanish or Russian
- Beginners': French, German, Mandarin, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese or Serbian/Croatian
Modules
In year one you will take 120 credits worth of modules, 40 credits of which will be core translation modules. These will focus on introducing key concepts in translation and interpreting as well as language and linguistics. You must take these modules in (one of) your post-A level language(s). Your remaining 80 credits are split as follows: Pathway 1 (One post-A level language): you will take 20 credits of core language modules, 20 credits of core introductory subject-specific modules, and an additional 40 credits of optional modules in the appropriate subject area. Pathway 2 (Two post-A levell languages): you will take 20 credits of core language modules and 20 credits of core introductory modules in each of your chosen languages subject areas. Pathway 3 (One post-A levell and one beginners' language): you will take 20 credits of core language modules and 20 credits of core introductory modules in your post-A levellanguage, and 40 credits of core language modules in your beginners' language. As with year one, in year two you will take 120 credits worth of modules, 40 credits of which will be core translation modules. You must take these modules in (one of) your post-A level language(s). Your remaining 80 credits are split as follows: Pathway 1: you will take 20 credits of core language modules and an additional 60 credits of optional modules in the appropriate subject area. Pathway 2: you will take 20 credits of core language modules and 20 credits of optional modules in each of your chosen languages subject areas. Pathway 3: you will take 20 credits of core language modules and 20 credits of optional modules in your post-A level and beginners' language. Your third academic year is spent abroad. You will divide your time between countries where your chosen language(s) are spoken. Depending on where your placement is, you could study at one of our exchange universities, teach on the British Council assistantship programme, or undertake a work placement with a company. We encourage our students to work at a translation company wherever possible to build up relevant experience and skills for a future career in translation. In year four you will develop command of your languages and their use in increasingly sophisticated contexts, and study optional modules drawn from the areas of literature, history, politics, society, media and linguistics. You will also take a core module in interpreting and carry out an extended translation project. If you have followed a beginners' language programme, you may opt to focus on this language instead of your post-A level/IB language for some or all of the practical translation tasks. This course is also available with a foundation year.
How to apply
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- 74Q9
- Institution code:
- N84
- Campus name:
- University Park Campus
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - ABB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDD
Access to HE Diploma - D: 24 credits M: 21 credits P: 0 credits
Scottish Higher - ABBBB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D
Scottish Advanced Higher - AB
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 30 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015) - A - B
Extended Project - A
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - D3, M2, M3
GCSE/National 4/National 5
European Baccalaureate - 75% overall including at least 8.0 in 1 language from Spanish, German, Russian or French.
Student Outcomes
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Republic of Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
EU | £21500* | Year 1 |
England | £9250* | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
Scotland | £9250* | Year 1 |
Wales | £9250* | Year 1 |
Channel Islands | £9250* | Year 1 |
International | £21500* | Year 1 |
*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
University of Nottingham
University Park
Nottingham
NG7 2RD
Course contact details
Visit our course pageUndergraduate admissions
+44 (0) 115 951 5559